She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 444

Elara's voice was soft and eerily calm. She wasn't throwing a tantrum or acting overtly arrogant.

Yet her intention—using the older generation to assert dominance over Melanie—was painfully obvious.

In Elara’s mind, no matter how thick-skinned Melanie was, she couldn't possibly stay and play the role of a clownish third wheel.

That was exactly why she hadn't come alone. Bringing her parents was a calculated move.

Preston might not give her the time of day.

But he wouldn't disrespect her parents.

As for Melanie, unless she was entirely brain-dead, she would finally recognize the glaring disparity between herself and Preston.

The insurmountable gap in their social standing.

Holding Elara’s gaze for a long moment, Melanie let out a soft, amused laugh.

"Miss Bennett, I think you're slightly confused about the relationship dynamics here..."

"What are you talking about?"

"No matter how close the Bennett family is to Preston, you're still outsiders. Whereas I..."

Melanie suddenly took a step closer.

Elara instinctively shrank back.

Melanie’s confident, radiant smile filled her vision.

"I'm his future wife."

"You—"

"I'm his girlfriend. His future wife..." Melanie stated smoothly. "So tell me, Miss Bennett, what exactly does that make you?"

Elara opened her mouth, but found herself completely at a loss for words.

Just then, the sound of slow clapping echoed from the doorway.

Melanie glanced over and saw Preston leaning casually against the doorframe, applauding.

"Well said. My wife is absolutely brilliant."

Melanie walked over to his side just as Callum, Chloe, and the rest of the Bennett entourage awkwardly filed out of the room.

"Let's go, Elara."

And just like that, a deeply reluctant Elara was dragged away by her parents.

Once Melanie and Preston were back inside, the room was blessedly quiet again.

"Honestly, you have an endless supply of crazy admirers," Melanie muttered under her breath.

Even though she was secretly thrilled that her public title had just been upgraded from girlfriend to fiancée.

Still, Elara’s sudden appearance and blatant power play had left a sour taste in her mouth.

Preston caught her hand, his tone laced with gentle apology:

"I'm sorry. I know it's annoying... but I wouldn't call it an endless supply, right?"

"How is it not?"

Melanie shot him a glare.

"A pretentious ex-fiancée who still can't let you go, plus Aria, who is practically throwing herself at you... Who knows how many more groupies are hiding in the woodwork?"